The Linux Foundation is sponsoring an official contest for an inspirational Linux commercial. The winner will get fame and fortune and a trip to the Linux Symposium in Tokyo.

In one of LinuxFoundation.org's blogs, the community organization behind the free OS alluded to some of the recent "I'm a Mac" and "I'm a PC" TV commercials and found that it's now time to create one for Linux. This considering that the Redmond giant had engaged Jerry Seinfeld for 10 million dollars to appear in a more casual presentation of its OS (see YouTube). Despite considerable media attention, the costly TV spot fell flat with viewers and was soon recalled. Microsoft instead followed up with its "I'm a PC" spoof on Apple, upon which Apple countered with its own "I'm a Mac" campaign. The Linux Foundation began to realize in all this melee that its OS was being hugely underrepresented.

The foundation now wants to reverse that trend, but is nonetheless faced with a problem: "While the Linux Foundation would love to spend millions promoting Linux on TV, it's simply not our style (or in our budget)." Not least of which is that Linux isn't controlled by a single company, but product of a worldwide community. The solution: "That's why we're sponsoring a community contest to create a Linux video that showcases just what Linux means to those who use it, and hopefully inspires many to try it."

Even though the "I'm Linux" video contest doesn't start until January 26th, the rules are already being formulated. The video must be limited to 60 seconds, can't violate the foundation's terms of service and is open to 18-year-olds and older. The contest closes midnight Pacific time on March 15, 2009. The winning video, decided by a panel of judges, will be presented at the Linux Foundation Collaboration Summit in San Francisco on April 8th. The prize is airfare, accommodations and participation in the Japan Linux Symposium in Tokyo October, 2009.

The Linux Foundation will formally launch the contest in late January, but comments and questions are welcome in preparation for the event. Meanwhile, promo hobbyists can get a head start now by uploading their entries on the foundation webpage.

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Linus Torvalds's foundation is doing a sequel this year of its creative community ad campaign for Linux with a second video contest. The winner will receive a laptop loaded with Linux and a trip to LinuxCon in Boston in August.